A breathtaking town nestled in the mountains at the foot of a volcano has been dubbed one of Europe’s best places to visit after being named among one of Italy’s most beautiful towns by the non-profit organisation I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia.
Gangi, on the island of Sicily, in Italy, sits in the foothills of Mount Etna, the imposing volcanic cone which can easily be seen on a clear day rising up 50 miles away.
The people of Gangi themselves live high up in the world as the ancient settlement, which dates back to 1200BC, is over 3,280ft above sea level, having been constructed on one of the summits of the Madonie Mountains.
According to a national Italian tourism competition, Gangi stood out as the prettiest town in the country because much of its “great architectural and artistic heritage is preserved”, the Mirror reports.
The judges said: “Gangi rises amidst the fresh air of the Madonie Mounts, with its coloured stone narrow houses, close to each other, and the majestic Etna in the background that, due to optical deception, seems very close.
“A great architectural and artistic heritage is preserved in this hamlet, among the medieval alleys of the old town centre in the upper side, such as the castle, the mansions and the convent of the Frati Minori, the Ventimiglia tower and the church with its dome.”
According to Visit Sicily, Gangi attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to view the nativity scene put on by locals at this time of year.
The site continued: “It’s a little gem, full of historical heritage and traditions. According to legend, it was originally the mythical city of Engyon founded by the Cretans near the spring of the same name.
“Just outside the town, among the dense network of sheep tracks, there’s the Santuario dello Spirito Santo, a shrine linked with a legend about a miraculous painted effigy of the Eternal Father found on a boulder by a farmer.”
Houses in Gangi are known as “castle houses” because many stand three or four, or even five storeys high, creating an enchanting warren of streets to explore.
Incredibly, some of the beautiful properties in the area have been made available for as little as €1 to buy as part of an initiative by Italian authorities to encourage people to restore the architecture.
Visit Gangi sums up the offer, adding: “Thanks to the government’s help and the symbolic value of the house (1 euro), you can get a luxurious home at a low price and in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.”
